THE OOLOGIST. 



35 



In collecting specimens, the true oblogist 

 will not search tor the higher colored and 

 larger species, — for this shows a sacrilice, 

 or rather a lack of scientific interest — but 

 will at all times direct his energies toward 

 procuring specimens of current intrinsic 

 value ; he will hunt up specimens exhibit- 

 ing the characteristics of the several groups 

 and sub-divisions of birds, and take partic- 

 ular enjoyment in finding abnormal speci- 

 mens, llis cabinet will exhibit system, 

 and he will take pleasure in pointing out 

 the rarest specimens and giving the circum- 

 stances of their collection ; he will cherish 

 a specimen which he obtained with his own 

 hands, in his own vicinity, and which in it- 

 self has a value for rarity, with more sat- 

 isfaction than he would the rarest egg col- 

 lected by anyone else to be found in Sum- 

 niatra or any other remote locality. He is 

 attracted by his own field of study — his own 

 district — and takes delight in learning what 

 he can of local oology, while he studies gen- 

 eral Oology to aid him in his special work ; 

 he aims at classification, and if he has had 

 education, is quick to perceive incongrui- 

 ties in terminology ; his investigations are 

 as far original as his means permit, and he 

 is ever on the qal vive to search into dispu- 

 ted and (piestionable statements ; to discov- 

 er the missing links to an incomplete asser- 

 tion, or to come into possession of indispu- 

 table evidence corroborating or disproving 

 a former questionable statement, is at all 

 times his highest aim. 



The inseparable companion of the natu- 

 ralist is his note book or journal. It is 

 true, that there is nothing relating to oolo- 

 gy upon which it is possible to ofi'er advice, 

 that has been urged upon collectors more 

 than the admoniti(n)s i-egarding the perma- 

 nent preservation of notes- ; but there are 

 few things that demand more attention, and 

 require to be inqjressed more upon the mind 

 of the tyro oiilogist. A note is a substan- 

 tial history of the event of which it treats, 

 and may often be required to decide later 

 controversy upon the same subject, where 

 verbal memory cannot suffice and is fre- 

 quently doubtful. Liberal notes should be 



made, even at the expense of specimens : a 

 note book is valuable in itself, scientifically 

 — specimens are valuable only for orna- 

 ment, unless accompanied with the authen- 

 ticating particulars ; both together form a 

 strong tie of incontrovertible evidence, 

 which is greatly strengthened by pencil and 

 brush. The note book is a help to the mem- 

 ory, properly speaking — a compend of items 

 written in the field and necessarily brief; 

 the journal is a more dignified and finished 

 collection of notes, which includes every- 

 thing ])ertainiug to birds' eggs the collector 

 is brought into contact with, from the item 

 on the arrival of the Robin to his theory of 

 migration, or the narration of a personal 

 oological incident. We agree with Dr. 

 Cones, that the items should savor of the 

 woods themselves — make them interesting, 

 but do not contract a poetical habit : some 

 facts will bear only the closest descriptive 

 language. If the note book is to serve as 

 the j^/'o ton. receptacle of skeleton items to 

 be written and elaborated in the journal, no 

 delay should be made in doing this, tor, if 

 neglected, the time and circumstances will 

 be forgotten, and nothing can repair the 

 loss. Time and places should be an import- 

 ant i'actor in all items where necessary to 

 throw light upon doubtful existing points, 

 and as Dr. Cones remarks, it is well worth 

 while to take note of the topography and 

 the meteorology of the locality, tor both of- 

 ten have a direct influence upon birds and 

 certain of their habits. If a note book is 

 commenced, it should not, like the almost 

 proverbial fate of the diary, be discontinued 

 after a little has been written in it ; and the 

 true oologist will not sutler it to be slighted. 

 Keep a book, and a substantial one too, for 

 the notes, and never in haste use slips of pa- 

 per, for the most valuable items may be 

 overlooked, lost, or destroyed in common 

 with the waste material which is periodic- 

 ally removed from the house. No item 

 in the history of birds' eggs, however triv- 

 ial, should be suifered to pass unheeded. 

 Perchance the same thing has been noticed 



CONCLUDED ON PAGE 37. 



